I've been a bit of a slacker lately not getting new tires
for my car before winter set in so I purchased them yesterday and went to get
them installed this morning. In Alaska it's done a
little differently than the Lower 48 where you just go and have them swapped
over. Many people use studded tires here
so every fall there is a massive rush to the tire stores at the first sign of
snowfall. I waited so I found myself
going to Costco at 6:45 am this morning the temperature was minus 5 degrees to
be outside waiting for them to open around 8:30 am. I was number 5 in line at that time but was
prepared. I had my Margaritaville chair,
my thermos of Bailey's coffee, and warm clothing. The conversations with those there turned out
to be quite interesting at that time of the morning waiting for someone to show
up. The line grew to over 50 people by the time the doors opened.
I met several people, mainly the other 4 in front of me and
once vehicles were queued one of them, Ramsay and I went across the street to
Denny's and had breakfast and talked. It
was very interesting, both veterans, both work in similar fields, and both
Southern heritage men. Ramsey was from north central Florida
and I from Atlanta Georgia
Conversations of growing up in the South in the 60's &
70's and the issues of the day, poverty, racism, and raising children, both
from being one and how we have passed ideals on to our own over the years. There was a little talk of our military time
buts as most vets know there is not a lot to say other than thanks for the
others service to our country. It was
both great and rewarding in the time of fellowship we spent while having our
tires changed out.
Sometimes getting up early and doing something can have
positive and rewarding results even though the sun would not rise for three or
four hours. It's those little things in
life that change us and take on meaning from what we thought the morning would
bring.
"I am among all men, most richly blessed" (from A
Soldier's Prayer)
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